Environmental Nanoparticles: Science, Ethics & Policy: Workshop At UD, Nov. 10-11

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Public Health;  Conferences;  Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 27 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The University of Delaware will host "Environmental Nanoparticles: Science, Ethics & Policy" on Nov. 10-11 at the John M. Clayton Hall Conference Center in Newark, Del.

The workshop, which is co-sponsored by UD's Center for Critical Zone Research and the Science, Ethics and Public Policy program, will include presentations by nationally and internationally recognized scientists, engineers, ethicists and science policy experts on the fate, transport and human and environmental health effects of nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles are ultra-small chemical particles. They occur naturally as soot produced by volcanoes, for example, and they are manmade, engineered for use in a broad spectrum of products and applications such as therapeutic drug treatments, fuel additives, cosmetics and stain-resistant fabrics, among others.

The use of nanoparticles has much promise in a number of fields including medicine, energy, manufacturing and environmental remediation. However, the characterization, reactivity, fate and transport of nanoparticles, as well as their impacts on human and animal health and their usefulness in sensing and remediation, are not well understood.

Experts on the fate and transport of nanoparticles will discuss what happens to these tiny particles in soils, water and plants. Toxicologists will discuss the possible harmful effects of ingesting, inhaling or otherwise coming into contact with nanoparticles. Engineers will discuss ways in which nanoparticles might be used to sense and possibly remediate adverse environmental conditions, such as pollution, in air, water and soil. Ethicists and policy experts will make recommendations about future policy directions.

The workshop is limited to 150 participants. Registration is free to any faculty or student at the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical and Community College or Wesley College. For more information visit http://sepp.dbi.udel.edu/nanoconf2.html.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Source: Dr. Tom Powers
University of Delaware